Miami vs. Notre Dame: Historic Football Rivalry Returns

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Outspoken With Dan Sileo

Miami and Notre Dame Prepare to Renew Their Heated Rivalry

The University of Miami and Notre Dame have a big game coming up this weekend. Without a doubt, this is one of the most energetic, passionate and hated rivalries of all time.

Miami’s traditional rivals were Florida State and Florida, but there was always something different about Notre Dame. The rivalry produced the “Convicts versus Catholics” label. Imagine calling Miami’s players convicts in today’s society. At the time, Miami may have had more Catholics on its football team than Notre Dame did.

The hostility intensified when Miami defeated Notre Dame 58-7 in the Orange Bowl during Gerry Faust’s final game. Miami won by 51 points, with only Army’s 59-0 victory over Notre Dame in 1944 representing a larger defeat for the program.

Miami then defeated Notre Dame 24-0 in 1987, Lou Holtz’s first game against the Hurricanes. The following year produced the memorable 31-30 game and the height of “Convicts versus Catholics.”

The rivalry became so heated that both programs believed it was best to stop playing. Players and coaches received actual death threats. Miami players received letters from Notre Dame fans, while Notre Dame players faced similar treatment. The athletic directors, Lou Holtz and Jimmy Johnson agreed that ending the series was in everyone’s best interest.

Miami and Notre Dame did not play for a long time because of how intense the hatred had become. Even today, Miami players from that era are still called convicts because of the rivalry. ESPN later produced a 30 for 30 documentary about it. Miami had off-field issues at the time, and Notre Dame used them to help shape the rivalry’s identity.

Many current players can only read about that period or watch documentaries. Those who lived through it remember an unfriendly atmosphere in South Bend and the same hostility when Notre Dame visited the Orange Bowl. Social media would have amplified an already heated rivalry.

This weekend’s game will revive many of the memories that made the rivalry special. It is a matchup that should be played every year and should attract massive ratings as one of the most anticipated games of the season. The winner could emerge from Saturday’s game in South Bend as the country’s number one team.

Marcus Freeman is one of the best coaches in the country. He has done a spectacular job and makes Notre Dame likable. Mario Cristobal has also done a remarkable job bringing Miami back. The Hurricanes have not been in a game like this in 25 years.